I was a Verizon customer for years and years and I switched carriers during the COVID lockdowns and the folks, over at Verizon got the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to agree to the following changes:
In January 2026, the FCC granted Verizon a waiver to end its 60-day automatic phone unlocking policy
, allowing the carrier to combat fraud and theft. Postpaid devices will now be unlocked only upon request after contract fulfillment, while prepaid devices require up to one year for unlocking. Key Details of the 2026 Verizon/FCC Actions
- End of 60-Day Auto-Unlock: Verizon is no longer required to automatically unlock phones 60 days after activation, a rule previously in place to aid consumer flexibility.
- New Unlocking Policy: Postpaid phones will be locked to the network until the contract is fulfilled, and prepaid devices may be locked for up to one year.
- Reasoning: The FCC approved this change to address high rates of handset theft, fraud, and trafficking that significantly impacted Verizon's business, particularly following its acquisition of TracFone.
- Broadband and Merger Conditions: As part of broader, separate regulatory approvals (such as for the Verizon-Frontier deal in California), Verizon is required to expand broadband services to rural areas and maintain low-cost internet options for 10 years.
This move brings Verizon in line with stricter, more tailored, or longer-term locking policies designed to curb device trafficking rather than providing immediate consumer mobility.
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